The team’s statistics show that inside linebacker Dan Damico has just a few more tackles than what he’s been given credit for this season – like more than 100.

“You guys don’t even have the right statistics – he has 197 tackles – and that’s what we’re trying to explain to colleges right now. It’s just unbelievable,” Brown said of Damico, who averaged just under 18 per game for the Brothers who went 10-1, won the sectional title back after two years of finishing second, and advanced to the state Class AA semifinal.

Damico, a team captain, was a force on defense who also excelled as a tight end for the Brothers. He is this year's Mr. Football for the 2016 All-Central New York football teams, as selected by a panel of area coaches and sportswriters at Syracuse.com and The Post-Standard.

“I’m humbled,” said the 6-foot-2, 235-pound senior who is the youngest of Rick and Beth Damico’s five children. “But I did a lot of hard work this past year, and I think that really paid off.”

Brown said Damico’s work ethic and willingness to lead were crucial to the success of this year’s Brothers.

“He’s just a tremendous leader,” he said. “I don’t know if leaders are born or if leaders are developed, but I do know this kid wanted to lead, he wanted to be the guy. He led by example. He led verbally. He was exciting. He was emotional. He was all in.”

Dan Damico's senior year highlights video

Brown said the best thing about Damico’s leadership was that he always put the team first.

“He’s not about him. It’s not, look at me. There’s no flash to him,” Brown said. “There was no glitz. There’s no glamour. He just brought it at 100 percent.”

One constant throughout the season, Brown said, was Damico’s mother having to perform a weekly task of sewing her son’s jersey back together before every game.

“They would re-sew his jersey every pre-game meal,” Brown said of the No. 15 jerseys that would be ripped and torn after each game. “We would have our meal on Friday afternoon and Mrs. Damico would sew up the jersey. It was a ritual they had.”

Damico, who already has moved on to basketball, said so far he has football scholarship offers from Cornell and Monmouth. He’s hoping to add a few more to the list before he makes a choice.

One thing is certain, Damico said he will miss the close relationship he developed while working with CBA assistant football coach Jim Giufre, who runs the Brothers’ defense.

“I really want to thank coach Giufre,” said Damico, who has played on the CBA varsity since ninth grade. “He was like a second father to me. He’s taught me how to play football, but also to be a better man, so I just really want to thank him for that.”

CBA senior Dan Damico, a four-year starter for the Brothers, has had a close relationship with assistant coach Jim Giufre. (Photo by Judy Salamone | CBA)

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